A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olabode George, on Friday said that the party had experienced a rebirth following its November 2025 national convention in Ibadan, expressing confidence that it would reclaim power at the centre in 2027.
In a speech delivered by the George at the inauguration of new party managers in Lagos on Friday, and made available to PUNCH Online, he said that the convention marked a turning point for the PDP, restoring the confidence Nigerians had in the party at its founding in 1998.
“I want to confidently tell you that what we have in our party today, since our Ibadan national convention in November 2025, is a rebirth, a new hope, a new beginning, a restoration of the confidence Nigerians had in PDP when it was founded by our fathers in 1998,” he said.
He reaffirmed that the PDP remained a formidable platform across the country, saying there is no coalition that can be greater than the party in acceptability among nigerians.
“From the North to South, East to West, PDP remains a strong political platform, offering great opportunities for members and Nigerians. It is only in PDP that the interest of Nigerians can be better served.
“There is no coalition in today’s Nigeria that can be stronger than PDP. Ours is a reborn political party that has weathered every storm and can never go under. Those defecting must return to this Iroko political party,” he said.
Reflecting on the party’s early days, he added, “Some of us did the leg works when the foundation was laid about 28 years ago. That is why we have resolved that we will never, I repeat, never allow anti-democracy elements in APC today, to destroy our party.”
George alleged that members of the All-Progressives Congress were being pressured to defect but insisted the PDP remained the only truly national political platform in the country.
“Our governors and lawmakers are being forced to defect, but we are not bothered because PDP is the only true national party in the country today. APC is just a coalition of strange bed fellows,” he said.
He cited the conduct of the PDP’s ward, council and state congresses, as well as the national convention, as evidence of internal democracy within the party.
“At least, you can see how our congresses, ward, council, state, and convention were conducted. Can you say the same of APC? Their current National Chairman and other NWC members were imposed. Last year, the former national chairman was just told to leave the office within two hours. Is that democracy?” he queried.
George further accused the ruling party of attempting to undermine the PDP through the electoral umpire.
“Because APC is threatened with the way we conducted our convention in Ibadan, they are now using INEC to truncate that process. But Nigerians know their undemocratic game plan,” he said.
He maintained that Nigerians dissatisfied with the APC-led administration since 2015 were awaiting the 2027 general elections to return the PDP to power.
“Since 2015 when APC started ruling this country, Nigerians have seen the difference. This is a party that has no fear of God. PDP stands for what is just, fair and equitable. And that is what the Kabiru Turaki-led NWC has vowed to do in the build up to the next general elections in 2027,” he added.
On the recent FCT council, and other bye-election, which he did not specify, George described the exercise as “shambolic, disgraceful, chaotic, disorganised and mismanaged,” warning that any attempt to replicate such an exercise in 2027 would be resisted by voters.
“If APC thinks it can successfully repeat same in 2027, Nigerians will shock them,” he said.
The PDP stalwart also inaugurated the Lagos State Executive Committee of the party, led by Dr Fawole, describing the new officials as people of integrity who would receive full support.
He urged party faithful not to lose hope, describing the party’s current challenges as temporary.
“I appeal to our members not to panic. The challenge PDP is facing today is temporary,” he said, referencing a past viral video by former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike.
“Remember the video that went viral when Nyesom Wike was still the Governor of Rivers State. He said if there was headache in PDP, there was cancer in APC. He also said if he betrayed PDP, he would never have peace of mind. We all know what is happening today,” George stated.
George concluded by assuring Nigerians that the PDP would restore the country’s standing globally if elected in 2027.
“I want to assure Nigerians that come 2027, PDP will take Nigeria to its rightful place in the comity of nations,” he said.
PUNCH Online had reported that the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru, has dismissed recent criticisms by opposition leaders, saying they are “crying because of loss of opportunity to plunder the resources of the Nigerian people” rather than genuine concern for citizens’ welfare.
Basiru made the remarks on Friday after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, hours after Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC.
The APC scribe was responding to a press conference held earlier in the week by opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, who lamented that Nigeria was becoming a one-party state under Tinubu’s administration.
In December 2025, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in an interview said the challenges facing parties like the Peoples Democratic Party and the African Democratic Congress were self-inflicted.
He also blamed defections from opposition parties on internal mismanagement rather than any action by the ruling party.